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BOOK: ‘Profiting from Clean Energy’ provides a comprehensive investment guide
Thursday, 26 March 2009

(EnergyAsia, March 26, Thursday) --- ‘Profiting from Clean Energy’, a book by professional investment analyst and advisor Richard W. Asplund, discusses ways to invest in clean energy.

It provides an in-depth explanation of the technology and industry structures, and identifies more than 150 stocks in the clean energy sector.

Topics covered in the book include investments and performance, the role of government, clean energy potential, solar power, wind power, fuel cells, geothermal power, power efficiency, smart meters, power storage and backup systems, transportation, biofuels and ethanol, coal and carbon trading.

For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
SINGAPORE: Chemical and oil pollution conference to be held in conjunction with maritime week
Wednesday, 25 March 2009

(EnergyAsia, March 25, Wednesday) --- The ‘6th Biennial International Chemical and Oil Pollution Conference and Exhibition (ICOPCE 2009)’ will be held at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore from April 21 to 24.

Organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), ICOPCE 2009 is the only conference dedicated to the prevention and preparedness for oil and chemical spills, to be held in conjuction with Singapore Maritime Week.

The conference will feature a keynote address by Lim Hwee Hua, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, as well as presentations from oil majors, ship owners and managers, specialist response agencies, and key industry bodies.

ICOPCE 2009 will be addressing the challenges in the transportation of oil, chemicals and petrochemicals. The conference will also discuss the latest trends in prevention, preparedness, response and clean-up of chemical and oil marine spills.

A pre-conference workshop will be held on April 21 and a chemical spill exercise on April 24.

Topics covered include trends in global oil and shipping operations, developing integrated response systems, best practice preparedness and response in Japan and Australia, changing requirements in safe shipping, and IMO Conventions and their impact on the industry.

The conference will focus on partnerships and cooperation to improve industry preparedness and response to oil spills, types and quantities of chemicals transiting through Singapore, disaster possibilities, risks in the chemical and petrochemical industries, and safety issues.

Speakers will discuss case studies including the ‘Hebei Spirit’ oil spill in South Korea.

Speakers at the event include Alexander Walker (Chevron Shipping Company), Satnam Singh Kumar (V Ships Asia), Woo-Rack SUH (Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation), Phil Davies (OCIMF), Peter Swift (Intertanko), Gavin Kramer (BP Shipping), Dave Salt (OSR), Bernard Lesegretain (Total Trading Asia), Raphael P.M. Lotilla (PEMSEA),

Nishigaki Kenji (Petroleum Association of Japan Australian Maritime Safety Authority), Paul Nelson (AMSA), Jason Yap (AEA Group), John Dipple (Seacor), John Brinkman (Imbibitive Technologies), Hor Weng Yew (AET Tankers), Willem Oosterveen (IOPC Funds),

Zafrul Alam (Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore), James Samuel (IMC Corp), Max Peirson (Stolt-Nielsen Singapore), Chan Kok Leong (GBLT Ship Management), Joe Loring (US Coast Guard), Rajalingam Subramaniam (MISC Bhd), and Bjorn Tore Markussen (DNV Maritime Solutions).

An interactive response simulation exercise will be conducted on day two of the conference. The role play session will focus on a spill scenario and provide participants with an opportunity to appreciate the practical problems and challenges encountered. Facilitators of the simulation include Hari Annan (BP Shipping), Chris Richards (SEMCO), Dave Salt (OSR), Wendy Ng (Charles Taylor Mutual Management), and Steven Ng (Mileage Communications).

For more information on the conference, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
BOOK: ‘A Thousand Barrels a Second’ examines the future of oil
Tuesday, 24 March 2009

(EnergyAsia, March 24, Tuesday) --- ‘A Thousand Barrels a Second’ examines the future of oil and offer insights into what it will take to rebalance the world’s energy needs.

Written by Peter Tertzakian, the chief energy economist of Canada’s equity firm ARC Financial Corporation, the book provides an analysis of shifts in energy trends, describing how past critical junctures or ‘break points’ developed, evolved, and shaped nations, changed consumer behaviour and its effect on businesses.

The author also offers insights into the future of energy supply, how our consumption patterns may evolve, and how governments, businesses and individuals can meet the coming challenges with better solutions.

It examines issues like:

- Are today's high oil and gas prices part of a routine business cycle, or are there more profound forces at play?

- Have we entered a new multi-polar world where energy is the primary source of geopolitical tension?

- Are hybrid vehicles our only solution against high gasoline prices?

- Is China’s growing thirst for energy sustainable?

- What sort of global landscape will emerge from the turmoil?

- Which government policies work and which do not?

- Will nuclear power and coal save the day-again?

Serving as a wake-up call, this book shows how the lessons of history will help us find our way to a better, more secure energy future.

For more information on ‘A Thousand Barrels a Second’, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 
 
PEOPLE: WLPGA names David Tyler as projects and business practices director
Friday, 20 March 2009

(EnergyAsia, March 20, Friday) --- The Paris, France-based World Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (WLPGA) said it has appointed David Tyler as Director, Projects & Business Practices.

His primary role will be to lead the association’s activities in the area of good practices in the industry.

In addition, he will further consolidate the association’s programmes on innovation and drive the global autogas initiative.

This will include working closely with industry members on the Global Technology Network (GLOTEC) and Global Autogas Industry Network (GAIN) committees. He will also be responsible for the Asia Pacific membership group.

Mr Tyler brings a deep knowledge and experience of the LPG industry on a global scale after working 25 years with Shell International in senior marketing management positions including commercial director in Indonesia.

In 1996, he established his own LPG consultancy business in Australia and since then has successfully undertaken strategic projects in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Australia. He has lived and worked in many countries including the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Australia, Hong Kong and China which will reinforce the global dimension at the WLPGA.

James Rockall, the WLPGA managing director, said: “This appointment strengthens WLPGA's in-house experience and expertise, ensuring that the global LPG business worldwide can rely on a professional team for all of its endeavours, projects and initiatives.”
 
SINGAPORE: Hitachi launches S$80,000 environment education fund at first eco conference
Wednesday, 18 March 2009

(EnergyAsia, March 18, Wednesday) --- Singapore-based Hitachi Asia Ltd has launched its S$80,000 Hitachi Environment Education Fund (HEEF), a joint initiative with Marsiling Secondary School. Aside from providing environmental education for the next generation, the fund seeks to nurture in Singapore youth the skills and responsibility for sustaining the environment. (US$1=S$1.54).

The HEEF was announced at the inaugural Hitachi Eco Conference 2009, an event entitled “Sustaining our Environment through Technologies and Collaboration” and organised with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), National Environment Agency (NEA) and the NUS Energy Studies Institute.

The conference addressed current environmental issues by promoting sustainable global solutions through innovative technologies. An exhibition showcased the Hitachi group’s collective technologies for environmental sustainability, while seminars were conducted focusing on two relevant concerns: energy efficiency and water treatment.

Keynote speaker Professor Daniel Esty of Yale University and author of “Green to Gold”, gave a talk on “Using environmental strategies to build competitive advantage”.

The event’s guest-of-honor, Yaacob Ibrahim, minister for the environment and water resources, said:

“It is encouraging to see corporations such as Hitachi play such a strong role in Singapore’s environmental efforts. The fund, together with the Hitachi eco conference, demonstrates the company’s keen social responsibility and its desire to nurture a similar passion and commitment for the environment among Singaporeans. This shared responsibility forms the foundation for sustainable development and ultimately, a future of lasting prosperity.”

The fund’s beneficiary, Marsiling Secondary School, is a Ministry of Education (MOE) north 5 cluster centre of excellence in environment education. Selected for its track record in environment education, the school has a comprehensive environment education programme, working with various partners to raise awareness among students on environmental issues.

The HEEF will be used for new environment-related projects and activities, monetary awards for students who exemplify eco-responsibility, and grants for training programmes to enhance teachers’ knowledge on various environmental topics.

Takashi Hatchoji, chief environmental strategy officer of Hitachi Ltd, said: “Our activities are focused on realising our Environmental Vision 2025 - a long-term plan to preserve the environment and promote a sustainable society through global warming prevention, eco-system conservation and the sustainable use of resources.

“We believe that sustainability begins with education. By nurturing eco awareness among the youth, we ensure that future generations will keep our Earth safe.

“By collaborating with government agencies and the commercial sector to discuss environmental issues, we can bring key influencers and decision makers closer toward striking a responsible balance with the environment.”
 
AFGHANISTAN: ADB to support new five-year strategic partnership
Tuesday, 17 March 2009

(EnergyAsia, March 17, Tuesday) --- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that it and the Afghanistan government have forged a new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) 2009-2013 that continues to focus on investments to bolster the country’s energy, transport, and irrigation sectors.

“In addition to being one of the poorest countries in the entire Asia and Pacific region, Afghanistan is confronted with a daunting set of development challenges,” said ADB vice-president Xiaoyu Zhao.

“Pervasive insecurity and the country’s still-limited human capacity constrains effective implementation not only of the government’s ambitious reform agenda, but also of physical works that will create employment and economic growth.”

Approved by ADB’s board in Manila, the new partnership strategy is closely aligned with the Afghanistan National Development Strategy and focuses on a limited number of priority sectors.

“The new CPS calls on ADB support for the provision of essential infrastructure including roads, power and irrigation facilities,” said Craig Steffensen, Country Director of ADB’s Afghanistan Resident Mission.

In a country where only 6% of the population has access to electricity, ADB’s ongoing energy sector investments will expand the power grid by rehabilitating power substations and transmission lines, construct small to medium-sized hydropower plants, and improve power trading and interconnection with neighbouring countries.

ADB assistance in this sector will contribute to the government’s goal of delivering electricity to 65% of urban households and 25% of rural households.

In the transport sector, the CPS calls for the completion of Afghanistan’s “ring road” and the construction of new national roads, including links with neighbouring countries. This will cut transport costs and raise the country’s competitiveness profile.

ADB said that improved road transport is tangible evidence of Afghanistan’s reconstruction. Freight traffic has increased dramatically. 

Complementary investments in regional road corridors and regional trade policy and facilitation will increase the value of trade with neighbouring countries from about US$5 billion in 2005 to $12 billion by 2016.

ADB said its support for Afghanistan’s agriculture sector will focus on the rehabilitation of irrigation systems.
 
INDIA: Foster Wheeler awarded contracts for Indian Oil Corp’s Paradip oil refinery
Monday, 16 March 2009

(EnergyAsia, March 16, Monday) --- Engineering giant Foster Wheeler AG said its subsidiaries, Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd and Foster Wheeler (GB) Ltd, have been awarded a contract by Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOCL) for a grassroots refinery at Paradip in the Indian state of Orissa.

Foster Wheeler said it will take on the role of project management consultant for the major part of developing the new 15-million-tonne-per-year refinery and will also execute the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) for 15 of the process units plus offsites, utilities and infrastructure.

The EPCm scope includes the crude distillation units, reforming, alkylation and butane isomerisation units, plus significant offsites, utilities and infrastructure. The project will be executed from Foster Wheeler’s offices in the UK (Reading) and in India (Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and the Paradip site).

“We believe this award demonstrates confidence in two of our key strengths, our broad and deep refining expertise and our proven track record in managing and safely executing the EPC phases of large, technically complex projects. We look forward to playing a key role in the safe and successful delivery of this strategically important project for IOCL,” said Michael J. Beaumont, chairman and CEO of Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd.

Foster Wheeler AG is a global engineering and construction contractor and power equipment supplier delivering technically advanced, reliable facilities and equipment.
 
SINGAPORE: August Energy planning third bunker course in May after the success of last month’s event
Thursday, 12 March 2009

(EnergyAsia, March 12, Thursday) --- August Energy reported a sell-out crowd of bunker fuel professionals for its Bunkering Principles, Management & Operations course held in Singapore last February 24 and 25.

More than 50 participants from seven countries attended the NUSS Guild House seminar hall at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The event was expected to attract about 30 people, and also exceeded the turnout reported for the first event held last September, said managing director Tham Heng Mun.

The participants benefited from in-depth discussions and lectures by a host of experts including Gerald Loh from the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), Douglas Raitt of Lloyd’s Register and Tan Lay Thok of SPRING Singapore’s technical committee for bunkering. While Mr Loh and Mr Tan addressed regulatory, policy and enforcement issues pertaining to Singapore, Mr Raitt, Lloyd’s global FOBAS manager, spoke on pressing environmental challenges facing the industry.

Adrian Tolson, vice-president of sales and marketing at US-based Chemoil, and Simon Neo, deputy marine director at Equatorial Marine Fuels, presented the experiences and perspectives of independent bunker traders.

Lee Hong Liang, editor of BunkerWorld, spoke on the current issues facing the bunker markets in Asia and the Middle East.

Amid growing concerns with trading and credit risks, George Ng, director of CME Group, and Yeo Ek Meng, vice-president of clearing and commodities business at the Singapore Exchange, presented the services of their organisations in helping traders deal with the threat of credit issues.

Corporate recovery specialist Tim Reid, a partner at Ferrier Hodgson, provided advice on how companies should deal with credit issues and bad debts.

The other speakers included veteran industry consultants Yeo Ek Thoe and Yee Peng Fei who shared their overviews on the bunkering business and the quality management of the bunker supply chain. Naimish Raval, senior business development manager at Emerson Process Management, provided an update on his company’s work on bunker metering.

Delegates participated by debating and asking questions of the lecturers, and exchanging information among themselves.

Some of the course topics included an overview of the forces that drive the bunker fuels markets, issues related to management and trading, Singapore as a major hub in the global bunker supply chain, the role and issues related to the Singapore Standard 600 (combining the CP 60 and CP 77), trade financing and outlook for bunker projects in the region.

Credit, financial and liquidity challenges facing today’s bunker markets were also discussed, focusing on risks and how traders should navigate the current credit threats and liquidity squeeze.

Also included was a technical and practical overview of the workings of bunker operations and management, in particular the state of bunkering practices in Singapore, the importance and role of surveyors and inspectors, and survey requirements on bunker contamination, dispute handling, and new MARPOL rules and requirements. The speakers also addressed auditing practices and policy in Singapore and the international market as well as what bunker auditing hopes to achieve and how it is conducted.

Due to the strong response from the industry, August Energy is planning to hold a series of bunker training courses through 2009. The next event is being planned for May, featuring updates on key issues facing the industry, case studies and financial issues, said Mr Tham.

He said: “Our aim is to provide the industry a forum and a platform to regularly address issues facing the bunker markets. We will use each event to address a different set of issues. Professionals involved in the bunker industry may send me their feedback and comments for incorporation into the next event in May.”
 
BOOK: Wiley’s ‘Sustainable Development Policy Directory’
Monday, 09 March 2009

(EnergyAsia, March 9, Monday) --- ‘Sustainable Development Policy Directory’  serves as a handy reference book which provides essential information on the legal, fiscal and planning frameworks governing the global and local sustainability agenda.

Authored by Alan Strong and Lesley Hemphill, the directory is relevant to a range of organisations and individuals from national and local authorities, professional bodies, environmental groups, academia, consultancies, non-governmental organisations to the media.

The book, published by Wiley, covers international, European and British policies in key environment themes. It addresses each theme in a series of tables which summarise the policy purpose and provide web-links to policy documents.

Themes covered include biodiversity, climate change, construction, energy, environment, planning, pollution, social issues, sustainable development policy and practice, transport, urban development, waste management and water.

For more information on ‘Sustainable Development Policy Directory’, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
BOOK: Wiley publishes practical guide on oil refineries
Friday, 06 March 2009

(EnergyAsia, March 6, Friday) --- ‘Oil Refineries in the 21st Century: Energy Efficient, Cost Effective, Environmentally Benign’ is a practical guide for engineers, managers and consultants involved in the refining industry.

The book provides a detailed approach to the methodology, information and criteria for analysing energy use, and the economics and environmental impact of refineries as well as solutions for fulfilling the requirements of the Kyoto agreement.

Published by Wiley, the book addresses the role of management and refinery operators and owners in meeting society’s energy needs in the most efficient manner. It also provides a detailed approach to improving energy efficiency and cost effectiveness in petroleum processing.

Topics covered include the technological and energy characteristics of the chemical process industry, economic aspects of efficiency and effectiveness, blending of products and management in increasing energy and processing efficiency and effectiveness.

For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
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